Public feedback is being sought to a draft Lake Taupo Erosion and Flood Strategy
Public feedback is being sought to a draft Lake Taupo Erosion and Flood Strategy that will assist local authorities to find effective long term solutions for reducing the flood and erosion risk around the lakeshore.
The draft Strategy shows the extent of the flood and erosion risk and the likely causes, sets out roles and responsibilities, prioritises proposed actions, looks at timeframes, costs and outlines costs. The Strategy has been jointly funded and developed by Environment Waikato and Taupo District Council.
Your comment is now being sought to help the Councils finalise actions that will be undertaken and determine how the work should be funded.
Taupo mayor Rick Cooper and Environment Waikato chairman Peter Buckley are encouraging people to make comment on the draft document.
"While flooding and erosion occur naturally, we recognise that Lake Taupo is part of a managed system. That results in water being diverted into the lake, sediment being trapped behind dams and structures and the management of lake levels for hydro activity,” says Mr Cooper.
"The technical advice we have been given is that further monitoring is vital if we are to come up with effective long term protection measures. The draft Strategy also offers some short term environmentally-friendly solutions for dealing with erosion in high risk areas."
Environment Waikato chairman Peter Buckley says several agencies will need to contribute to the sustainable management of the lake shore.
“Successful implementation of the Strategy will involve collective action and long term investment.”
A key component of the Strategy is the focus on further monitoring of the lakeshore. Project manager Nick Carroll said an on-going monitoring programme will enable the councils to determine the extent to which lake level management affects erosion, how solid structures like groynes and ramps are affecting sediment movement and what causes beaches to change over time.
In addition to lake wide monitoring that is already being carried out by various agencies, the draft Strategy recommends that $50,000 be allocated every two years from 2011 for in-depth analysis. It also recommends further site specific monitoring at high risk sites.
The Strategy also outlines a range of physical works for high risk erosion sites. Technical advice emphasises that works should reflect natural processes e.g. planting and beach nourishment. Undertaking beach replenishment at the lakeside settlement of Kuratau has been identified as a priority. The work - including investigation, design and consenting - will cost an estimated $670,000. It also recommends that investigations be undertaken at Whareroa in 2009/2010 looking at the merits of re-contouring the beach and the potential for replanting.
The draft Strategy will remain open for public comment over the summer holiday period with submissions closing on February 27. Copies of the Strategy and submission forms may be downloaded from Council websites www.ew.govt.nz or www.taupo.govt.nz. Hard copies of the draft Strategy will also be available by contacting Taupo District Council 07 3760899 or email general@taupo.co.nz. The final Strategy is due to be adopted in June 2009.